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The New Jersey school district that received a $100 million commitment from Facebook founder
Mark Zuckerberg to remake itself is engulfed in a dispute over proposed large-scale layoffs of
teachers.

Nearly half the money given by Zuckerberg has been invested in a 2012 teacher contract that
allows for top teachers to get merit pay and peer reviews.

Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson has requested a contract waiver that would allow her to
base layoffs on teacher performance in addition to seniority. She says the change would improve
teacher quality.

Teachers-union officials, some state lawmakers and hundreds of parents have said that
Anderson is disregarding the contract and acting with little community input.